Accidents are always unexpected and unfortunate, but when they involve a truck in Marysville, the aftermath can be even more challenging to handle. The devastation, the pain and suffering, the medical bills, and the insurance calls can all be overwhelming. That is where the experienced Marysville personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull can come in to assist you with obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us at (360)435-1663 today for a free consultation.
Why Choose Wells Trumbull as Your Truck Accident Attorneys In Marysville?
Our law firm’s founding attorneys, Ben Wells and Joshua Trumbull have dedicated their careers to injury victim advocacy for decades, with a history of recovering millions of dollars for clients harmed by someone else’s negligence, including in truck accident claims. We offer significant advantages in your case, including the following:
- We never charge upfront fees to injury victims, because we understand that no one saves up for an accident. Instead, we give free consultations and only collect our fee after we secure your compensation
- We take the small-town approach of spending time with every client so we can make a more compelling claim for their compensation because we’ve personally witnessed the impact of the injury on their life
- We have an open-door communication policy so you’re always involved and well-informed on the progress of your case
We strive to safeguard each client’s rights and strategize a claim process tailored to the unique circumstances of their case. We have a note-worthy history of results including a recent $4.5 million recovery for a Washington truck accident injury victim.
Types of Truck Accidents In Marysville
There are many entities involved in the transportation and freight industry. Everyone responsible for putting a fully loaded truck on the road safely must take all reasonable measures to prevent an accident. Still, truck accidents increased by nearly 50% in the last decade, with 5,837 truck accidents with fatalities in 2023. About 70% of the fatalities occurred to those in smaller vehicles, not the truck driver. Common types of truck accidents in Marysville and throughout Washington include the following:
- Rear-end collisions
- Angle collisions or T-bone accidents
- Jackknife accidents (the trailer misaligns with the truck pushing the cab forward and sideways in a shape like a partly open jackknife)
- Sideswipes
- Head-on collisions
- Roadway departure accidents
- Wide-turn accidents
- Tipovers and rollovers
- Underride accidents (a car lodges under the truck’s trailer)
- Override accidents (the truck collides with a smaller vehicle so forcefully that it drivers up and over the vehicle
Truck accident scenes are terrifying and traumatic for all involved. In some cases, spilled cargo causes further damage to motorists and the roadway, especially when the truck was hauling hazardous materials during the crash.
What Causes Truck Accidents In Marysville and Elsewhere?
Truck drivers must have careful training and monitoring to ensure that inexperienced, inexpert drivers aren’t on the road behind the wheel of a massive truck that outweighs standard vehicles by as much as 76,000 pounds. Unfortunately, truck accidents in Marysville and elsewhere are far from uncommon. The most common causes of truck accidents in Washington include the following:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Improper merging
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Mechanical problems or faulty equipment
- Unsafe braking
- Unbalanced or improperly secured loads
- Driver inexperience
- Wide turns
When a truck driver causes an accident, they may be personally liable, or liability could lie with the trucking company, the manufacturer of a defective part, or a negligent truck maintenance crew or freight loading company. Sometimes multiple entities share fault in the accident under the state’s comparative negligence insurance laws. Your attorney from Wells Trumbull will pursue all available avenues to obtain compensation.
The Laws Governing Truck Accidents in Washington
The roads have witnessed their fair share of truck and car accidents in Marysville, Washington. However, truck accidents are notably more catastrophic than regular auto accidents due to their sheer size and force.
Washington has specific laws governing motor vehicle accidents, including those involving trucks. Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 46.63.020, drivers involved in an accident causing injury, death, or property damage must stop, provide necessary assistance, and share their information.
Additionally, trucking companies must adhere to regulations imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules mandate hours of service, maintenance, and even the training of drivers. When these regulations are not followed, it may lead to negligence.
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident Case
A truck accident can be the result of a combination of factors – driver fatigue from long hours, improper maintenance, overloading, and sometimes even substance abuse. While the RCW provides a legal foundation for the injured party to seek compensation, the complexity of truck accidents makes it crucial to have a knowledgeable attorney by your side.
The federal regulations also play a pivotal role here. For instance, if a trucking company pushes their drivers beyond the FMCSA’s Hours of Service limitations and this leads to an accident, they could be held liable for negligence. Similarly, if the truck was not maintained as per FMCSA guidelines, the company may again be at fault.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
After an accident involving a large commercial truck, it’s critical to go directly to a hospital for emergency care. While waiting for transportation to a hospital, use your phone to snap photos of the accident scene and the damaged vehicles. Take a photo of the truck’s DOT identification number on the side of the truck cab. Add the driver’s contact information to your phone.
At the hospital, ask for a detailed medical report listing your injuries, the doctor’s treatment recommendation, and your prognosis.
Always report the accident to your insurance company and then reach out to an experienced truck accident lawyer before accepting a fast settlement offer from the insurance company or speaking to the insurance adjuster assigned to your case. Then, direct all communication with the insurance company to your lawyer.
When someone is injured due to the negligence of a truck driver, trucking company, or anyone else responsible for putting the truck on the road, the victim has a right to seek compensation for a variety of damages related to the accident, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Other related losses
This is where the help of an experienced truck accident lawyer in Marysville becomes invaluable. With a deep understanding of both state and federal laws, they can identify the liable parties, whether it is the driver, the trucking company, or even a third party like a manufacturer, and assist with holding them accountable.
The Role of a Skilled Marysville Truck Accident Attorney
A skilled Marysville truck accident attorney can be a beacon of hope for truck accident victims. An experienced personal injury lawyer will meticulously evaluate every facet of the case, collect pertinent evidence, consult with accident reconstruction experts, and work diligently to secure fair compensation for your injuries and related damages.
The Marysville truck accident lawyers at Wells Trumbull are skilled in navigating the complexities involved in truck accident cases, upholding the victims’ rights, and fighting for them to receive the compensation they are entitled to. We can guide you through the claims process, handling negotiations with the liable insurance companies, and, if necessary, representing you in court to recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact Wells Trumbull to Consult with a Skilled Marysville Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident in Marysville, do not navigate this daunting journey alone. Reach out to Wells Trumbull for a free consultation. Let our experienced and empathetic truck accident attorney in Marysville guide you through this turbulent time and help you secure the compensation and peace of mind you deserve. Contact us today and take the first step towards reclaiming your life.